L.A. Angels: Ranking the 17 Greatest Hitters in Angels History

The 2011 season marks the 50-year anniversary of Angels baseball!

Throughout their team history, the Angels have had many great hitters who have made an impact.

While current Angels fans struggle to watch an anemic offense this year, hopefully this list provides a nice break.

Here are the 17 greatest hitters in Angels history.

17. Scott Spiezio

Scott Spiezio played only four years with the Angels and had a .268 batting average to go along with 58 homers during that span.

While his regular season statistics and longevity might not be enough to make the list, his performance in the 2002 World Series certainly does.

In Game 6, with the Angels trailing 5-0 in the seventh inning, Spiezio hit a three-run homer that helped the Halos win the game and eventually the series.

Spiezio finished the 2002 postseason with 19 RBI, tying the major league record.  

16. Chone Figgins

It’s hard to believe that Chone Figgins is just a few years removed from being one of the most productive leadoff men in baseball.

Following a very productive 2009 campaign, Figgins signed with the Seattle Mariners for four years and $36 million.

Figgins had a .291 average during his eight seasons with the Angels—the eighth-highest in team history.

On a different note, Figgins stole 280 bases while with the Angels—almost 100 higher than anyone else.  

15. Adam Kennedy

Adam Kennedy played seven productive years for the Angels, but none compared to his 2002 season.

While his career high .312 batting average was much appreciated, his performance in the playoffs is what fans remember most.

Not known as a power hitter, Kennedy surprisingly hit three home runs in Round 2 of the playoffs and was named the 2002 ALCS Most Valuable Player.

14. Jim Edmonds

When I think of Jim Edmonds, the first thing that comes to mind is his ability to make spectacular catches in center field.

While his glove may have received most of the attention, his bat was no less dangerous.

During his seven seasons with the Angels (1993-1999), Edmonds posted a .290 average while hitting 121 homers and driving in 408 runs. From 1995-1998 he hit at least 25 home runs every year.

After eight years with the Cardinals and a few more years bouncing around the league, Edmonds retired from baseball in February 2011.

13. Reggie Jackson

Reggie Jackson had his best years on other teams, but he was selected to three All-Star teams with the Angels.

Nicknamed “Mr. October” for his postseason play while on the A’s and Yankees, Jackson was unable to get the Angels to the World Series and hit an anemic .111 and .192 in the 1982 and 1986 playoffs, respectively.

Jackson made the All-Star team three times during his five Angel seasons. His best year was 1982 when he posted a .275/39/101 season.  

12. Don Baylor

Don Baylor played for six teams during his 19-year big league career, but none were greater than his performance in 1979.

Baylor played all 162 games in 1979 and hit .296 with 36 homers and 139 RBI. He was named AL Player of the Month on two occasions, earned his only All-Star team selection and took home the AL MVP honors that year.

Baylor played six seasons as an Angel, but none compared to 1979. You can make the argument that this season alone is strong enough reason to include him in this list.

11. Chili Davis

Chili Davis had two stints with the Angels—one from 1988-1990 and the other from 1993-1996.

He was always a long ball threat who could also hit for average. Davis made three trips to the All-Star Game during his career, but only one with the Angels (1994). 

His 156 home runs rank him No. 6 on the Angels’ all-time list. While with the Angels he had an on-base percentage of .365, good enough for No. 8 all time.

10. Troy Glaus

Troy Glaus may not have been one to hit for average, but he had no problem hitting the ball outside the park.

Glaus played for the Halos from 1998-2004 and was named the MVP of the 2002 World Series after helping the Angels take down the SF Giants in seven games.

As an Angel he was named to the All-Star team in 2000, 2001 and 2003 and ranks No. 4 in team home runs.

Glaus’ power was not without controversy and in 2007 he was accused of receiving multiple shipments of performance-enhancing steroids through an illegal Internet distribution network.

8. Rod Carew

Rod Carew is one of only two Angels position players to have their number retired by the team.

Carew played for the Angels from 1979 to 1985 and has the highest on-base percentage and second-highest batting average in team history.

He was selected to the All-Star team in six of the seven seasons he was with the Angels and every year from 1967 to 1984—18 seasons in a row.

Carew was a first ballot Hall of Famer and helped coach the Angels from 1992-1999.

8. Bobby Grich

Bobby Grich played 10 straight seasons with the Angels from 1977 to 1986.

His time with the Angels was filled with many highlights including a stellar 1981 season where he led the American League in slugging (.543) and home runs (22).

Grich makes the top 10 of this list for both his performance on the field an his longevity with the team. On the Angels all-time list he ranks No. 7 in home runs, No. 7 in RBI, No. 7 in OBP and No. 3 in walks.

Grich was the first Angel inducted into their team Hall of Fame—a list that only includes eight others.

7. Wally Joyner

You can’t mention Wally Joyner without mentioning Wally World and the excitement that Joyner brought to the Angels during his debut year.

Joyner had a stellar rookie season, batting .290 to go along with 22 home runs and 100 RBI. He was named an All-Star that year and finished second to Jose Canseco in the Rookie of the Year voting.

Joyner played for the Angels from 1986 to 1991 and came back to the team in 2001 just before retiring.

Joyner had a .286 batting average while with the Angels—the 10th highest in team history.

6. Jim Fregosi

Jim Fregosi played 11 seasons with the Angels and is one of the most remembered players from the team’s early history. His debut season in 1961 was also the team’s first season.

While with the Angels, Fregosi was widely regarded as the league’s top hitting shortstop and was selected to six All-Star teams.

On the Angels all-time list he ranks No. 1 in triples, No. 5 in hits, No. 5 in runs and No. 8 in RBI.

In 1998, Fregosi’s No. 11 was retired by the Angels.

5. Darin Erstad

Darin Erstad was always a fan favorite and was known for his heart and hustle during his 11 seasons with the Halos.

His best year came in 2000 when he hit .355 with 25 home runs and 100 RBI. That year he led the American League in hits with 240.

Erstad was selected to two All-Star teams while an Angel and was a member of the 2002 World Series team.

On the Angels all-time list, Erstad ranks No. 4 in hits, RBI and stolen bases runs.

4. Brian Downing

Brian Downing played 13 seasons in total for the Angels and was the team's best hitter during the 1980s.

A Southern California native, Downing was traded to the Angels after playing his first few seasons for the White Sox.

He made his only All-Star appearance in 1979 and finished the season with a career-high .326 batting average.

On the Angels all-time list Downing ranks No. 3 in runs, hits, doubles, home runs and RBI, and ranks No. 2 in walks and No. 5 in on-base percentage.

3. Garrett Anderson

Garrett Anderson played 15 seasons with the Angels, the most of any player on this list.

He had a very smooth swing and made the game of baseball look very easy.

Anderson was named to three All-Star teams during his career (2002, 2003 and 2005) and was a member of the 2002 World Series Championship team.

On the Angels all-time list Anderson ranks No. 1 in at-bats, runs, hits, doubles, RBI, and ranks No. 2 in home runs and No. 4 in batting average.

2. Vladimir Guerrero

Following the 2003 season, Vladimir Guerrero joined the Angels by signing a five-year, $70 million contract.

He made an immediate impact on the team, capturing the 2004 MVP (.336 BA, 39 HR, 126 RBI) and helping the Angels win the AL West for the first time since 1986.

During his six years with the Halos, he helped them win the division a total of five times.

Guerrero had the reputation of being a “bad ball hitter” and many said that his strike zone went from his nose to his toes.

On the Angels all-time list Guerrero ranks No. 5 in home runs, No. 6 in RBI  and No. 1 in batting average.

1. Tim Salmon

Tim Salmon is the greatest hitter in Angels history.

Drafted by the Angels in 1989, Salmon made a big impact during his first full year with the Angels by winning the AL Rookie of the Year in 1993.

Nicknamed King Fish, Salmon played his entire 14-year career with the Angels; 1995 was arguably his best season when he hit .330/34/105.

Salmon had a disappointing season in 2001, but bounced back with a resurgent 2002. He was named the AL Comeback Player of the Year and helped the Angels win the World Series.

On the Angels all-time list Salmon ranks No. 1 in home runs and walks and No. 2 in at-bats, runs, hits, doubles, RBI and on-base percentage.